Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 250

**He Asked Me to Leave My Dreams, So I Decided to Make Him One of Them by Mira Lorian**

**Chapter 250**

Maximus stood before Karin, his heart pounding like a war drum, a whirlwind of dread and anxiety churning within him. “What do you mean by ‘was’?” he demanded, his voice a low, tense growl, each syllable laced with an urgency that made the air around them crackle. A gnawing feeling settled in his gut, a premonition of calamity that clung to him like a shadow. Something terrible had befallen his beloved mate, Rania, while he had been away.

Karin faced him, her features etched with guilt and fear, the weight of her impending confession pressing down on her like an anchor. She knew she was about to deliver news that could dismantle the very fabric of his existence. Elder Gayle’s death loomed over her like a dark cloud, and the knowledge that Rania had been in peril gnawed at her insides. How could she possibly break this news to Maximus without first consulting Rania? The suffocating guilt threatened to swallow her whole; it was her suggestion that had led Rania to leave, and now, if anything had happened to her, the burden of that knowledge would rest heavily on her shoulders.

“Please, let it not be true,” she thought desperately, her heart racing with a mix of hope and dread. The mere thought of Rania’s demise filled her with an icy terror.

“Speak, Karin!” Maximus’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and demanding. His frustration was palpable, and he needed answers—now.

“My king…” Karin’s voice quivered, her gaze dropping to the ground as if it held the answers to her turmoil. “The queen was pregnant.” She hesitated, the truth weighing heavily on her tongue like a stone. “But, as we both know, she wouldn’t have been able to carry the pregnancy to term.”

Maximus felt his heart plummet, the confirmation of Rania’s condition striking him like a physical blow. He had suspected as much, but hearing it spoken aloud was akin to a dagger piercing his heart. “Did you give her the concoction?” he asked, his voice steady, yet a current of tension ran beneath the surface. He had made his choice; Rania’s safety would always come first.

“Yes, but…” Karin faltered, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her confession hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

“But she didn’t want to drink it,” Maximus concluded, realization dawning upon him like the first light of dawn breaking through a dark night. Rania had always dreamed of bearing an heir, of nurturing a child who would carry on his bloodline. But what a cursed bloodline it was—tainted by madness and sorrow. Why would he want that legacy to continue?

“Yes, she was hesitant at first. I tried to coax her, and she finally agreed, but there was still reluctance in her eyes,” Karin explained, her heart aching for both the king and the queen. “However, before she could drink the concoction, the attack came.”

As she recounted the details, the horror of Rania’s miscarriage unfolded before them like a dark shroud enveloping their reality.

“In a way, it was fortunate that she didn’t drink it, for she would have been bedridden, and our chances of escaping would have been nearly nonexistent…” Karin’s voice trailed off, the implication hanging heavily in the air like an unspoken dread.

Maximus remained silent, his fists clenching and unclenching as the storm within him brewed. The chaos of his emotions was a tempest, raging against the confines of his heart.

“My king…” Karin’s voice was fragile, her hands twisting the hem of her dress in anxiety. “I never meant for harm to come to the queen. But the longer she tries to maintain the pregnancy, the more she endangers her life…”

Her plea hung heavily between them, thick with desperation. Finally, Maximus spoke, his voice tight and strained. “You did the right thing,” he said through gritted teeth, the tension in his body palpable. “You may leave now. And do not inform her that I know.”

“Yes, my king,” Karin replied, nodding solemnly before hurrying out of the room, her heart racing. She could still feel the intensity of his gaze on her back, a silent warning that sent shivers down her spine.

Once she was gone, Maximus lingered in the doorway, staring into the void of the room. His thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind, filled with visions of what he needed to do next. The color of his eyes mirrored the deep, dark blue of a stormy sky, turbulent and restless, reflecting the turmoil within.

Eventually, he stepped inside and lay down beside Rania, who was still lost in slumber. Her lips were slightly parted, and her hands curled delicately near her face, a picture of innocence amidst the chaos surrounding them.

“My sweet mate,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers, savoring the warmth that radiated from her. “You’ve endured so much.” He pulled her closer, wishing he could shield her from the world’s cruelties, the darkness that threatened to engulf them both.

But sleep eluded him. His mind raced with thoughts of vengeance against those who dared to threaten their peace, the funeral for Elder Gayle weighing heavily on his conscience, and the looming threat of the Barlukan Kingdom. There was so much to be done, yet all he could think about was Rania.

When Rania finally awoke, Maximus feigned sleep, closing his eyes tightly as he felt her soft gaze upon him. He didn’t know why he couldn’t face her just yet; perhaps it was the weight of her loss, or perhaps it was the realization that he wanted her above all else, more than any legacy he could inherit.

Her gentle hand brushed against his cheek, her thumb tracing the line of his brow, and he felt her warmth seep into him, wrapping around his heart like a comforting embrace. She shifted, nestling closer into his embrace, and he reveled in the moment.

He felt her lips graze his cheek, a tender kiss meant to rouse him from his pretense of slumber. Maximus allowed her to explore, to touch him, to breathe him in. Rania’s scent was intoxicating, a sweet essence reminiscent of morning dew, and it became his solace amidst the storm within.

As she tried to push his hand away, he decided it was time to awaken. His eyes fluttered open to find her looking at him with a mix of shyness and warmth, her gaze brightening the dimness of the room.

“Say something,” she urged, her voice soft and inviting, like the gentle rustle of leaves in a spring breeze.

“What?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

“Ah!” she gasped as he pulled her closer, their bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle, a perfect match in a world filled with chaos.

Seeing the healer’s devastation, Rania stepped forward and enveloped her in a comforting embrace, patting her back gently. “It’s not your fault, Karin. It will never be your fault,” she reassured her, pressing a kiss to her head, offering solace amidst the storm of grief. “You did everything you could. You only wanted to protect me.”

Karin wept against Rania’s chest, the weight of her guilt heavy in the air, a palpable reminder of their shared pain.

It took some time for Karin to regain her composure, the silence between them thick with unspoken sorrow.

“I want to see Elder Gayle…” Rania finally said, her voice steady despite the pain that clawed at her insides. “Can you take me to him?”

Karin hesitated, her own tears still glistening in her eyes, but eventually nodded. “He fought valiantly until the end. He was a brave man, a brave royal beta.”

“Yes, I know. He was so brave, and so are you,” Rania encouraged, wanting to lift some of the burden from Karin’s shoulders. They both knew the fight had taken its toll on them, leaving scars that would take time to heal.

Together, they made their way to the greenhouse, where Elder Gayle’s body lay in quiet repose, a final resting place for a man who had given so much for his people.

As Maximus stood by Rania’s side, enveloped in the aftermath of loss and uncertainty, a profound realization settled upon him. The world outside their sanctuary was fraught with danger, but within the confines of their shared grief, he found a flicker of hope. Rania’s compassion toward Karin, even in her own sorrow, illuminated the strength of her spirit. It was a reminder that, despite the darkness that threatened to engulf them, love and resilience could still prevail. Maximus understood that he could no longer allow the weight of legacy and vengeance to dictate his actions; instead, he needed to forge a path that embraced the life they could build together, one that honored the memories of those they had lost while nurturing the bond they shared.

Rania, too, stood at a crossroads of her own. The pain of losing Elder Gayle and the uncertainty surrounding her own future weighed heavily on her heart, yet in that moment, she felt a surge of determination. As she looked into Maximus’s eyes, she recognized the depth of their connection, a bond forged in the fires of adversity and tempered by love. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, drawing strength from one another. With every step they took, they would honor the fallen and embrace the dreams they still held dear. In choosing to stand by each other, they not only found solace but also the courage to pursue a future where their dreams could intertwine, creating a legacy that transcended the pain of their past.

***

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the next chapter, the emotional turmoil that surrounds Rania and Maximus will reach a fever pitch as they confront the aftermath of Elder Gayle’s death. Rania’s determination to honor his memory will clash with her own grief, forcing her to grapple with the heavy burden of loss while trying to support those around her. As she and Karin navigate their shared sorrow, Rania’s unresolved questions about her wolf spirit will come to the forefront, pushing her to seek answers that may lead her down a path of self-discovery and transformation. The tension between duty and desire will create a palpable sense of urgency, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

Meanwhile, Maximus, still reeling from the revelations of Rania’s pregnancy and the threat of the Barlukan Kingdom, will find himself at a crossroads. His heart is torn between vengeance and the need to protect Rania at all costs. As he seeks to rally his forces in the wake of tragedy, the stakes will rise, and the choices he makes could alter the course of their lives forever. Will he be able to balance his responsibilities as a king with his desires as a mate? The chapter will culminate in a moment of reckoning, where both Rania and Maximus must confront their fears and make choices that will define their futures, leaving readers eager to discover what lies ahead for this star-crossed couple.